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www.canalboatclub.com WWelcomeelcome

Becoming a member of Canalboat Club will enable you to take a holiday every year from a choice of start locations for life. When buying a week or more of use you are joining an exclusive club of owners who fi nd this an extremely economical and practical way of fulfi lling both their boating and holiday dreams.

You pay just the initial asking price and then an annual management fee each year after that, and that’s all you pay apart from the fuel (Utility Fee) if you use the boat. The annual management fee covers items such as moorings, licenses, insurance, cleaning, reservation and administration services, boat maintenance, tuition at the start of each holiday and a 24hr helpline. Your ownership is for life,* so it can work out as a very cost effective holiday which you can pass or leave in your will to family or friends. Canalboat Club has chosen RCI (www.rci.com) as its preferred exchange provider. With membership to RCI you will have the fl exibility to exchange your Canalboat Club week to one of tens of thousands of holiday properties worldwide spanning the spectrum from hotel rooms and suites to villas, cottages, bungalows, campgrounds and traditional holiday apartments. Canalboat Club boats are managed by ABC Boat Management which is a subsidiary of ABC Leisure Group, the largest privately owned specialist operator of on the UK’s and rivers with 35 years experience of operating boats and a vast array of associated services. For more information see www.abcboatmanagement.com and www.abclg.com Canalboat Club has appointed Hutchinson & Co as the trustee to protect your legal rights of occupation as they hold ownership of the boats on behalf of the members. For more information visit www.hutchtrust.co.uk (*until 2076 or other terms specifi ed in the documentation)

2 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] TThehe NNarrowboatarrowboat HHolidayoliday ExperienceExperience

The beautiful canals of and wind their way through a variety of interesting and distinctive locations offering you the chance to stop off and investigate further at a mooring of your choice or to simply continue cruising onto the next destination.

On a narrowboat holiday you are free to decide whether you want a relaxing escape from it all, enjoying remote rural countryside or would rather an action packed holiday of sightseeing famous cities, attractions and enjoying the associated nightlife. Or maybe a combination of both? You can be somewhere different everyday and you are able to set your own itinerary if you want one at all! A boating holiday is the fastest way to slow down and relax. The cruising routes on the following pages give you just some of the options available to you. Alternatively you may wish to just stay at the marina where the boat is moored and treat your boat as a fl oating holiday cottage. Or of course with RCI membership you can exchange your time on the boat with some other type of holiday or place in the world, giving you total fl exibility.

Cruising Options Key:

7 = Number of nights

3 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] YYourour BBoatoat

Galley with cooker, refrigerator, microwave, sink and all the other 4 BBertherth (sleeps max 4 people), 45 foot long items that you need to cook and eat on board.

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As all boats are individually hand crafted some boat layouts may differ.

4 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

BBlackwaterlackwater MMeadoweadow MMarinaarina >> –

For tranquillity and beauty, start Llangollen & Return >> 7 nights from Blackwater Meadow and meander along the Llangollen The is arguably the most beautiful canal on the whole system and combines the gentle countryside of Shropshire and the more and Shropshire Union Canals, dramatic landscape of the Welsh border. enjoying the wide open spaces and hillsides of Wales and the It boasts one of the most striking features on the UK canals – the Pontcysyllte north-west. For pretty scenery Aqueduct which can be reached from Blackwater Meadow in a week. and stunning views, little Unusually, this canal has a fl ow of 2mph as it feeds other canals, so the compares to the Llangollen Canal outbound journey will always be slower than on the way back. with features including ‘meres’ The last locks are at New Marton, half way between Ellesmere and . and the . From there on, as it clings to the hillside contours, an enchanting blend Chirk of aqueducts and tunnels takes the canal, free, to Llangollen. Here a steam railway runs trains for 7 ½ miles along the River Dee. BLACKWATER MEADOW Cruising options include: & Return >> 7 nights On this popular countryside route the locks are well spaced for Growen 7 Llangollen & Return easy cruising. 14 You can choose to travel to Chester and then retrace your steps back to 7 Chester & Return the marina or continue along the Shropshire Union main line to its historic terminal on the at (now a boat Museum). 7 Mooring in Chester is within easy reach of the walled city centre with Montgomery Canal its medieval ‘rows’ where there are a variety of shops, galleries and the majestic cathedral.

5 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

AAlvechurchlvechurch Marina,Marina, WWorcestershireorcestershire >> Worcester & Canal

Alvechurch marina is adjacent >> 7 nights to a railway station and has a CAMRA award winning pub on One of the most popular one week cruises. This route of contrasts takes site serving real ale and good in the 21st century Birmingham city centre, 19th century heritage food. The marina is at the heart and some of the most rural stretches of canal imaginable along with the of an extremely varied canal . network, with a great selection Much of the stunning new development in Birmingham city centre of ring routes. Features is focused on the canalside area - Symphony Hall, the International include the impressive 30 lock Convention Centre and the Sea Life Centre. Branch off to the impressive Tardebigge Flight in one direction Netherton tunnel or visit the award winning Museum. or miles of lock free cruising to Birmingham in the other. If time permits, experience the wonder of steam trains on the , with a trip from Kidderminster to the picturesque market town of . Lapworth Stoke Prior Cruising options include: Take an enviable river perspective of the magnifi cent Worcester cathedral in a city where you will also fi nd both quaint and modern shopping malls and, of course, the Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum. 7 Stourport Ring 7 Stratford-upon-Avon >> 7 nights & Return Stratford-upon-Avon & Return Cruise through idyllic stretches of countryside to this historic town, each 14 route offering a superb mixture of culture, history and shopping. 7 Black Country Ring Moor in the beautifully maintained at Stratford, near to the 14 Ring Royal Shakespeare Theatre, shops, restaurants and pubs.

6 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LOCATIONS: LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

WWorcesterorcester MMarina,arina, WWorcestershireorcestershire >> Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Based at the southern end of the Avon Ring >> 14 nights Worcester Birmingham Canal in the heart of the city an ideal To really enjoy the delightful river cruising on both the Severn and Avon start location for routes into you will need at least a 14 night break. In fact, allowing two weeks enables Shakespeare country via the a detour down to to visit its docks, warehouses and museums. Rivers Severn and Avon, or trips Worcester,, and Stratford each offer a superb mixture along the canal north into rural of culture, history and shopping. . Here you will pass through the heart of the Droitwich Ring >> 7 nights picturesque Archers country. This marina has easy access to Late 2010 should see the opening of the restored Droitwich Canal. The railway and bus stations and is canal links the Worcester and Birmingham with the River Severn at 5 minutes walk from city centre Hawford creating a new mini ring from Worcester. Cruising the ring shopping, restaurants and pubs. will take approximately 20 hours so this is an easy weeks cruising. The Droitwich Canal is an amalgamation of the Droitwich Barge Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal both built to carry salt from but Cruising options include: were abandoned in 1939.

7 Stourport Ring 7 Stratford-upon-Avon & Return 14 Avon Ring 7 Droitwich Ring 7 Autherley & Return

7 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

AAndertonnderton MMarinaarina CCheshireheshire >> Trent & Mersey Canal

Rochdale

With the Ring, the Four Counties Ring >> 14 nights remote and beautiful Leeds Wigan and Canal heading A voyage of discovery, this journey takes you along the wonderfully rural north and the Trent and Mersey and Worcestershire Canal to Junction where, Ashton Under heading south, plus of course passing under a distinctive roving bridge, you join the Trent and Mersey Stretford adjacent to the marina is the Canal heading north towards the Potteries and . The rolling restored Victorian Anderton Boat Staffordshire countryside leads you to Stoke-on-Trent, the Wedgewood Marple Visitors Centre and the impressive 2926-yard long Harecastle Tunnel. Beyond Lift providing access for boats to Harecastle the 13 miles to the salt town of sees the canal the . This marina Weston descend 31 locks to the Cheshire Plains. The short Middlewich arm links the esmere Port has a wide variety of cruising W to the Shropshire again through more Riv ANDERTON routes, countryside, cities and er Wea places to visit. glorious countryside. ver The scenery on the climb up ‘Heartbreak Hill’ to the summit at Kidsgrove Middlewich is fantastic. As well as sights of the potteries such as the Bottle Kilns at Chester Cruising options include: Etruria, the Wedgwood Pottery Centre at Barlaston is not to be missed. The National Trust’s is a short walk from moorings at Beeston 14 Four Counties Ring Great Haywood. Barbridge Hardings Wood 7 al Caldon Canal >> 7 nights an C

n 7 le l As an alternative to the four counties ring you could follow the above o g n a 21 route as far as Stoke-on-Trent where you branch off onto the Caldon Canal l L (if you have 2 or 3 weeks you which must rate as one of the most delightful waterways in the country. Ellesmere can do this stunning trip) You will head up towards the Peak District and enter the Churnet Valley with its stunning countryside. The canal terminates at Froghall where you 7 Chester & Return turn and retrace your steps.

Cheshire Ring >> 7 nights This trip takes you through the heart of Manchester and the Peak District with its distinctive stone architecture. Moor at Castlefi elds to explore the city of Manchester, including Old Trafford, home of ‘Man U’, the huge Arndale shopping centre and the Science & Industry Museum.

8 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LOCATIONS: LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

GGaytonayton Marina,Marina, NNorthamptonshireorthamptonshire >>

Routes from Gayton are typifi ed Aylesbury & Return >> 7/10 nights by rolling Northamptonshire arable landscapes, the rural A good route for the fi rst timer, through delightful countryside, taking in countryside punctuated by fair the Great Ouse Aqueduct at Cosgrove, through Milton Keynes Linear Park Welford sized towns and villages easily then arriving at Aylesbury, with the attractive old town centre just a short accessible from the canal side. walk from the canal basin. Gayton sits on a junction where the Grand Union Canal, (the & Return >> 7 nights M1 of 200 years ago) meets A very popular week cruise with the opportunity to visit , the going east reputed to be Britain’s ultimate castle, where you can immerse yourself in towards Northamptonshire and a thousand years of history. Cropredy Cambridgeshire.

Oxford & Return >> 14 nights Great Linfo Cruising options include: Continuing on past Banbury to Oxford. The “City of Dreaming Spires” needs little introduction and is an extremely popular choice for those who can Fen 14 Aylesbury & Return stretch their holiday to more than a week. 7 Warwick & Return 14 Oxford & Return 7 Banbury & Return 14

9 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

HHilpertonilperton MMarina,arina, WWiltshireiltshire >> Kennet & Avon Canal

Our most southerly marina, City of & Return >> 7 nights Hilperton is well located on the fabulous Kennet and Avon 25 hours cruising would elsewhere be considered little more than a short Norton Canal often considered one of break, but here the route includes Bradford on Avon, Bath, Bristol and, Napton

unusually, many more towns and villages that the canal passes through G the very best for wildlife and ra n d the centre of. Having followed the route of the River Avon by canal, after natural beauty. Within just a U n io Bath the navigation uses the River itself, reverting to canal to divert into n days cruising of the stunning C an al

and unique city of Bath and its Bristol city centre. Banbury South Oxford South world famous Brine Baths, now a Some stunning weirs accompany each river lock down to Bristol. Museums World Heritage site. To the east and waterside features refl ect the city’s former importance as a sea port. of the marina is the spectacular Visitor moorings are available right in the centre of the city in the fl oating Caen Hill fl ight of locks. harbour. Frequent reminders of the route’s industrial history such as the Ayles OXFORD brass mill at Kelston are found within rolling valley countryside.

Cruising options include: Reading & Return >> 14 nights Wallingford Considered some of the very best countryside in the UK canal system, 7 Bristol & Return this route takes you through a number and variety of towns and villages GRAND RING 14 Reading & Return to Reading. Here you could visit either Blakes Lock Museum (social and BRISTOL Hungerford Reading industrial history) or the Museum of English Rural Life, or you could shop at 7 BATH Pewsey Newbury Hungerford & Return al the retail park known as ‘The Oracle’ which is located next to the canal. n a n C t & Avo 7 Bath & Return Devizes Kenne Bradford HILPERTON on Avon 14 Newbury & Return Hungerford & Return >> 7 nights Beyond Pewsey and through further lush Wiltshire countryside, the highest point of the Kennet & Avon is marked by the 502 yard Bruce Tunnel. The canal then follows close alongside the Great Western main railway line through the Bedwyns - Great & Little - and down to Hungerford. Pass by Savernake Forest, an ancient woodland mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Bath & Return >> 7 nights A very leisurely trip allowing a few days staying moored closed to the World Heritage Site. 10 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] LOCATIONS: LLOCATIONS:OCATIONS: Your choice of 7 unique start locations

UUnionnion WharfWharf MMarina,arina, LLeicestershireeicestershire >> Grand Union Canal

Union Wharf is located in Leicester or East Ring >> 14 nights the attractive and historic market town of Market A pleasant two week cruise through parts of Staffordshire,Warwickshire, Harborough. The Wharf itself Leicestershire and Derbyshire which involves cruising on rivers as well is also home to a number of as canals. This route takes you up the Grand Union Canal to the Foxton impressively refurbished canal fl ight of locks, then onto Leicester itself where you join the River Soar. warehouses. The Wharf is at the You continue along the Soar to Trent Junction, where you briefl y join the terminus of the canal close which takes you up to Sawley. At this point you rejoin the canal to Foxton Locks and the now system and complete the ring. derelict Incline Plane. Braunston & Return >> 7 nights Cruise the arm of the Grand Union canal to Foxton. The friendly lock-keeper will guide you through the staircase locks, stop for a cream tea in the canal side cafe or a well deserved pint in the Foxton UNION Cruising options include: Locks Inn. WHARF Cruise down the canal through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel which is 1166 Welford 14 Leicester or yards long, passing open fi elds and wooded hills, with the odd village East Midlands Ring along the way. Once through Crick Tunnel stroll into the village of Crick, 7 Leicester & Return home of one of Britain’s largest annual boat show held each year in May. 7 Braunston & Return Swinging westwards towards Braunston you pass through one of the longest tunnels on this stretch at 2042 yards, before reaching the historic 7 & Return wharf where you can moor up and have a look at the fi ne selection of buildings here. Cropredy Braunston is a must for canal enthusiasts with its hustle and bustle of canal traffi c, boat builders and restorers. G

11 www.canalboatclub.com T: 01395 443363 E: [email protected] FFAQsAQs As members of Canalboat Club you can be a member of RCI† which enables you to exchange your boating week to other luxury resorts around the world. There are over 4,000 resorts in RCI including the Disney Vacation Club resorts in Florida and over 3.6 million members, so every year you can choose to either use your narrow boat holiday, or if you belong to RCI, you can exchange it to another resort - in an apartment or a hotel, in this country, Europe, USA, India, Australia or as many as 90 other countries in the world. †Charges apply QQ.. D Doo I havehave toto taketake mmyy hholidayoliday oonn a bboatoat eeachach yyear?ear? AA.. IfIf youyou areare a membermember ooff RRCICI yyouou aarere ffreeree ttoo cchoosehoose ffromrom a wwideide sselectionelection ooff rresorts.esorts. QQ.. D Doo I needneed a licenselicense ttoo ddriverive tthehe bboat?oat? AA.. N No,o, youyou don’tdon’t needneed a drivingdriving licencelicence forfor a narrowboatnarrowboat andand thethe boatboat itselfitself isis licensedlicensed byby usus forfor BWBW waterways.waterways. QQ.. W Wee haven’thaven’t donedone iitt bbefore?efore? AA.. N No,o, previousprevious experienceexperience iiss nnecessary,ecessary, aass tthehe bboatsoats aarere eextremelyxtremely eeasyasy ttoo hhandleandle aandnd ffullull tuitiontuition isis givengiven atat thethe s starttart ofof everyevery hholiday.oliday. QQ.. A Arere ppetsets allowed?allowed? AA.. Y Yeses , petspets aarere aallowedllowed aatt mmostost mmarinas.arinas. QQ.. W Wherehere ccanan wwee pparkark tthehe car?car? AA.. T Therehere iiss aamplemple pparkingarking aatt aallll ooff oourur mmarinas.arinas. QQ.. W Wherehere ccanan wwee sstoptop wwhenhen ccruisingruising onon thethe boat?boat? AA.. Y Youou cancan moormoor upup virtuallyvirtually anywhereanywhere youyou likelike nearnear watersidewaterside pubs,pubs, villages,villages, towns,towns, citiescities andand remoteremote ccountrysideountryside llocations.ocations. QQ.. W Whathat happenshappens ifif wewe havehave a pproblem?roblem? AA.. I Inn additionaddition toto thethe tuitiontuition atat thethe startstart ofof thethe holidayholiday eacheach boatboat hashas a comprehensivecomprehensive manualmanual andand therethere iiss a 2 244 hourhour emergencyemergency hhelpline.elpline.

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